News from 2021

2021.12.22

For some Greenlanders, eating sugar is healthy

A genetic variation among some Greenlanders makes sugar healthy – significantly more than for most people. According to a new study by University of Copenhagen researchers and their colleagues, gut bacteria and a unique…

Data science

2021.12.21

Food scientist wants to create data model for personalised dietary recommendations

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen want to create a personalised dietary profile that knows the individual and can help by saying: Go, stop or reconsider with regards to what you eat and drink.

Nature

2021.12.20

They are very important for Danish nature. And, fortunately, many are doing well!

A new research project from the University of Copenhagen has investigated the state of 29 Danish ant species over the past 120 years, roughly half of all native species.

Grant

2021.11.25

Research project will crack the code behind green neighbourhood communities

With support from THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS, new research anchored at the Department of Anthropology will examine how to create green neighbouring communities in housing associations.

Technology

2021.11.24

New algorithm could save lives: Predicts COVID-related intensive care unit resource use

A new algorithm can predict how many patients will need intensive COVID-related healthcare. This is valuable knowledge when it comes to prioritising caregivers and ventilators in individual hospitals. The innovation…

Cancer

2021.11.23

Molecular hijacking: Cancer gene re-programs ‘protein factories’ to stimulate cell growth

The ribosomes, the ‘protein factories’ in our cells, can be altered by cancer genes, a new study from the University of Copenhagen shows. This has implications for our understanding of both normal development and…

PLANTS

2021.11.22

Ancient natural medicine could improve cancer treatment

Plants used by the indigenous population in Australia, the Aboriginal people, to fight infection, among other things, may be able to help cancer patients who are no longer susceptible to chemotherapy.

Outer space

2021.11.22

One in five galaxies in the early universe could still be hidden behind cosmic dust

Astronomers at the University of Copenhagen’s Cosmic Dawn Center have discovered two previously invisible galaxies billions of light-years away. Their discovery suggests that up to one in five such distant galaxies…

FOOD SCIENCE

2021.11.22

We prefer farmed salmon – as long as we don't know what we're eating

A blind taste test by University of Copenhagen researchers demonstrates that Danes prefer the taste of both conventionally and organically farmed smoked salmon over wild-caught salmon. However, the picture is turned…

Education

2021.11.19

Schools managed to prevent increased learning gaps during the corona crisis

School closures during the corona crisis had little impact on the reading proficiency of Danish pupils, even when you factor social background into the equation, new analyses conclude.

DRUGS

2021.11.19

New discovery could make life difficult for corona virus

The molecule could be capable of curbing the spread of coronavirus.

artificial intelligence

2021.11.18

Artificial intelligence favours white men under 40

Publicly available language models of the sort used for everything from Google and Siri, to insurance and legal casework systematically favour the language of young white men. At the same time, they discriminate in…

PLANT BIOLOGY

2021.11.18

New knowledge about our Earth’s most important biochemical reaction: A step towards increasing CO2 uptake in plants

A group of proteins in plant cells plays a vastly more important role in regulation of photosynthesis than once thought, according to new research at the University of Copenhagen. The research is an important step…

Nano chemistry

2021.11.15

Danish chemist helps England extend lifespan of world-renowned shipwreck

Using an advanced new X-ray scanning technique, a team of University of Copenhagen researchers has helped to identify the substances quietly eating their way through the wreckage of the Mary Rose, a 510-year-old English…

The good life

2021.11.12

Living with chronic disease: Three questions that still need answering

We still lack knowledge on how best to help patients with chronic diseases. Ayo Wahlberg, who just completed a large-scale study on the everyday lives of people living with chronic disease, calls for new initiatives.

New research

2021.11.12

New research project will examine plants’ own method of releasing seed proteins

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen will investigate what plants do when they have to mobilise and use their seed proteins to germinate. If successful, they will potentially be able to discover a more…

Natural History

2021.11.10

Researchers puncture explanation for largest increase of biodiversity in Earth's history

The greatest increase in marine biodiversity on Earth was not due to the explosion of an asteroid, as previously believed. In fact, the explosion caused the development of new animal species to stagnate for a period of…

FOOD

2021.11.09

Danes have reduced meat consumption – but we lag behind other Europeans

A major new survey on meat consumption in Europe reports that Europeans have a growing appetite for plant-based foods and that meat consumption has dipped. While this applies to Denmark as well, Danes lag behind the…

TECHNOLOGY & BIAS

2021.11.03

Our computers are sexist towards male and female politicians

Female politicians are often described as 'beautiful' or 'hysterical' in language models, while descriptors like ‘brave' and 'independent' are elicited for their male counterparts. A new analysis by researchers from th…

Genetics

2021.11.03

Researchers identify gene heavily linked to psychiatric disease

Advanced algorithms and functional animal studies have revealed a new gene linked to psychiatric disease.

INEQUALITY

2021.11.01

The gulf between rich and poor is increasing

The economic inequality is decreasing on a global scale, and the gulf between rich and poor is growing fast. This is the conclusion of an international research project with Danish participation.

DIET & NUTRITION

2021.10.29

Danish children love fish, but eat it all too rarely

Danish children eat less than a third of the recommended amount of fish. A new study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen reports that this isn’t because kids don’t like fish – in fact, they’re wild about it.…

Inequality

2021.10.28

Childhood adversity results in increased hospitalisation

Marginalised children and youths are admitted to hospital far more often than other children and youths are, new research from the University of Copenhagen reveals.

quantum technology

2021.10.28

Innovative chip built by UCPH physicists resolves quantum headache

Quantum physicists at the University of Copenhagen are reporting an international achievement for Denmark in the field of quantum technology. By simultaneously operating multiple spin qubits on the same quantum chip,…

DNA

2021.10.27

DNA from Sitting Bull’s hair confirms kinship with descendants

A research team from the University of Copenhagen has mapped the genetic material of the fabled Native American chief, Sitting Bull.

CLIMATE CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY

2021.10.26

The green transition starts in your municipality

Local citizens need to be involved in the green transition if the climate crisis is to gain broad public support, researchers argue. Local citizens’ assemblies focussing on climate issues may prove an important part of…

Gender-balance

2021.10.21

Companies recruit more female board members through family ties

The introduction of a gender quota in Denmark has increased the number of women on company boards, but it also led to more family driven hiring, a new study finds.

archaeology

2021.10.20

Origin of domestic horses finally established

Horses were first domesticated in the Pontic-Caspian steppes, northern Caucasus, before conquering the rest of Eurasia within a few centuries. These are the results of a study led by paleogeneticist Ludovic Orlando. The…

Agriculture

2021.10.14

Robots can improve agriculture, but old laws stand in the way

Agricultural robots have the potential to address labour shortages and increase global food security. However, outdated laws are an obstacle for these new technologies according to a new study from the University of…

The climate researchers

2021.10.13

Economics of climate change: One per cent makes a world of difference

Frikk Nesje and his colleagues have created international awareness by building bridges in the political debate as to how much we should invest in the climate.

Covid-19

2021.10.07

Vaccine ‘pocket money’ is controversial - but it works

Can a few hundred kroner motivate people to be vaccinated? Yes, to a certain extent, shows a research project anchored in the Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality, University of Copenhagen.

THE FOOD CHAIN

2021.09.27

Farmers' share of food prices has fallen

The path from farm to fork is getting longer and longer on a global scale. In fact, most of what we pay for food doesn’t go to those who grow or raise foods, but to food processors, packagers, transporters and others. A…

astrophysics

2021.09.23

UCPH astronomers find six distant – and mysteriously dead – galaxies

Astronomers from the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), among others, have peered back 10-12 billion years into the universe and found six galaxies that mysteriously ran out of gas…

Genetics

2021.09.23

Ancient humans traded dogs for their usefulness

The trading could have happened due to the usefulness of the dogs in hunting, herding and sledding, explains lead author of the study.

Teeth

2021.09.21

Danes’ oral health has improved but social inequalities have not changed

Danish oral health has improved; so a large study of the Danes’ oral health the past 30 years concludes.

EDUCATION

2021.09.17

Vocational education shapes students' personality

Do young people become more conscientious by getting an education? Yes, if it is a vocational education, a new study reveals.

Archeology

2021.09.16

Researchers find conclusive evidence: A large Stone Age settlement is buried in Svanemøllen Harbour

Four pieces of worked flint have been retrieved from the seabed off Copenhagen’s Svanemøllen Harbour, thus confirming the hypothesis of UCPH researchers that a many thousands of years old Stone Age settlement is hiding…

Astrophysics

2021.09.13

Astronomers spot the same supernova three times — and predict a fourth sighting in 16 years

The enormous gravitation of a cluster of galaxies warps space to the extent that light from distant galaxies is deflected and brought to us from multiple directions. This effect has enabled astronomers from the…

Biology

2021.09.09

Fruit fly metabolism could pave the way for new obesity and diabetes drugs

The inner workings of fruit flies are more similar to those of humans than one might think. Now, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered a hormone in these flies that can help us better understand…

RESEARCH SHOWS

2021.09.08

Post Afghanistan: New international law challenges for the Armed Forces in a changed conflict picture

The situation we see in Afghanistan at the moment will make Western states less inclined to send troops on international missions.

TERRORISM

2021.09.06

From VHS tapes to YouTube: Terrorist recruitment since 9/11

Developments in technology have been profound since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. The growth of social media has facilitated the recruitment of members to extremist groups,…

News

For some Greenlanders, eating sugar is healthy

Food scientist wants to create data model for personalised dietary recommendations

Years later, restored wetlands remain a shadow of their old selves

New international research center to drive future stem cell-derived medicines

After thousands of years, an iconic whale confronts a new enemy

The effect of earmarked parental leave must be researched

Millions for research into green transition on the roads

Danish researchers discover new hiding place for antibiotic resistance

Prorector becomes dean

Researchers develop AI tool to combat coronavirus variants of the future

New phenomenon: Forest mammals eavesdrop on messy monkeys

They are very important for Danish nature. And, fortunately, many are doing well!

Research project will crack the code behind green neighbourhood communities

New algorithm could save lives: Predicts COVID-related intensive care unit resource use

Molecular hijacking: Cancer gene re-programs ‘protein factories’ to stimulate cell growth

Ancient natural medicine could improve cancer treatment

One in five galaxies in the early universe could still be hidden behind cosmic dust

We prefer farmed salmon – as long as we don't know what we're eating

Schools managed to prevent increased learning gaps during the corona crisis

New discovery could make life difficult for corona virus

Artificial intelligence favours white men under 40

New knowledge about our Earth’s most important biochemical reaction: A step towards increasing CO2 uptake in plants

Danish chemist helps England extend lifespan of world-renowned shipwreck

Living with chronic disease: Three questions that still need answering

New research project will examine plants’ own method of releasing seed proteins

Researchers puncture explanation for largest increase of biodiversity in Earth's history

Danes have reduced meat consumption – but we lag behind other Europeans

Our computers are sexist towards male and female politicians

Researchers identify gene heavily linked to psychiatric disease

The gulf between rich and poor is increasing

Danish children love fish, but eat it all too rarely

Childhood adversity results in increased hospitalisation

Innovative chip built by UCPH physicists resolves quantum headache

DNA from Sitting Bull’s hair confirms kinship with descendants

The green transition starts in your municipality

Companies recruit more female board members through family ties

Origin of domestic horses finally established

Robots can improve agriculture, but old laws stand in the way

Economics of climate change: One per cent makes a world of difference

Vaccine ‘pocket money’ is controversial - but it works

Farmers' share of food prices has fallen

UCPH astronomers find six distant – and mysteriously dead – galaxies

Ancient humans traded dogs for their usefulness

Danes’ oral health has improved but social inequalities have not changed

Vocational education shapes students' personality

Researchers find conclusive evidence: A large Stone Age settlement is buried in Svanemøllen Harbour

Astronomers spot the same supernova three times — and predict a fourth sighting in 16 years

Fruit fly metabolism could pave the way for new obesity and diabetes drugs

Post Afghanistan: New international law challenges for the Armed Forces in a changed conflict picture

From VHS tapes to YouTube: Terrorist recruitment since 9/11